Build · Buy · Partner Decider · 3 minutes
Build it, buy it, or partner up?
Eight questions on capability, complexity, and context. Three paths get scored against each other — with an honest cost range and the top-3 risks per recommendation.
Important: A make-or-buy decision in AI hinges on more than eight questions — data sovereignty, contract law, IP strategy, existing vendor relationships. This check is a first-pass orientation before you enter detailed vendor evaluations.
Methodology
8 inputs (3C model: Capability, Complexity, Criticality + 5 constraints/context). Each input contributes three scores (Buy/Build/Partner) on a 0-30 scale, averaged and rescaled to 0-100. Hybrid detection when the top-2 paths sit within 8 points. Pure heuristic — no LLM call, no logging of your answers.
Build your own AI or buy it ready-made?
The Build vs. Buy helper answers one of the most expensive questions early: is it worth having an AI solution built custom, or is an off-the-shelf product enough? For decision-makers who don't want to run into a custom build when a standard tool would do — and vice versa. The tool weighs cost, effort and fit against each other.
How it works
- 1Describe what the solution should do and how special your requirements are.
- 2Answer questions on budget, time, data protection and existing tools.
- 3The helper gives a reasoned recommendation — build, buy or combine.
Frequently asked questions
- Isn't buying always cheaper?
- Often yes, but not always. Ready-made products carry recurring license costs and rarely fit a hundred percent. For very specific requirements, a custom solution can be cheaper and more fitting over the years — that's exactly what the helper weighs up.
- Does the tool consider data protection?
- Yes, it's one of the questions. When sensitive data is involved, that can shift the recommendation toward a controllable in-house solution. For non-critical data it weighs less.
- What does it cost to use?
- Nothing. The helper is free and usable without an account. You can run through different scenarios, for example with and without a tight budget.
- What if I don't know the costs yet?
- Then use the AI Cost Calculator first for an estimate. With a cost figure in mind, the build-or-buy decision becomes far more robust.